Depression, anxiety, gut, and metabolic issues are all common and bothersome symptoms associated with autism. Figuring out the root cause of these issues can be a complex and time-consuming process. In the vast sea of testing options, I recommend starting with the Organic Acid Test (OAT). With this single test, you can find out how a variety of your child’s systems are working.
What Are Organic Acids?
Organic acids are byproducts or intermediate products of metabolism that show up in our urine. The Organic Acid Test is a simple urine test. The test assesses – you guessed it – organic acids in your child’s urine.
What Affects Organic Acids?
The results of the OAT are affected by diet, nutritional status, oxidative stress, environmental toxins, and the gut microbiome.
What Can We Learn From OAT Testing?
The OAT gives you helpful indicators used for diagnostic purposes. It can reveal:
- Inborn errors of metabolism
- Nutrient deficiencies
The OAT can also show you which areas may need further testing. For example, it lets you know if the gut is a major problem for your child.
Additionally, the OAT can give you an idea of the overall status of the body’s systems. It can reveal issues with:
- Microbial overgrowth in the gastrointestinal system
- Inflammation levels
- Oxalate overload
- Oxidative stress
- Poor vitamin B and C levels
- Glutathione
- Mitochondrial function
- Neurotransmitter levels
- CoQ10 levels
What’s the OAT Testing Process?
The OAT testing process is remarkably simple and often very affordable.
- Meet With a Functional Medicine Provider
A functional medicine provider can order the OAT test for you. I highly recommend using Genova Diagnostics’ Organix test or NutrEval test or Great Plains Laboratory’s OAT test. - Collect and Submit a Urine Sample
You’ll need to collect a urine sample for this test. You must collect the first urination of the morning. The sample does not need to be sterile. Check with your provider to see if your child should avoid specific foods, supplements, or medications before collecting the specimen. - Submit Your Claim to Insurance
The OAT test is often covered by private insurance. In fact, Genova and Great Plains will both submit your bill to your insurance provider for reimbursement. However, you may have to make a prepayment of around $150. - Schedule a Follow Up Visit With Your Provider
After you’ve submitted your child’s sample, you should schedule a follow-up appointment with your provider. The results of the OAT test are very complex so it’s important to work with someone who’s been trained to interpret the data. - Determine the Next Steps
During your follow-up visit, your provider will explain the results to you and, together, you will develop a treatment plan for your child. You may need to perform additional testing or make changes to your child’s diet or supplements.
The OAT test can be a great place to start as you try to find the root cause of your autistic child’s symptoms. The results from this single test can reveal a lot about how your child’s systems are functioning and help you determine which direction to go next.
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I hope this information has been helpful to you as part of creating Your Autism Game Plan.
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